Grammars may be forced to lower bar for poorer students

Grammar schools in Kent could be forced to offer places to children with lower 11-plus marks to increase the number of poorer brighter pupils in selective schools.

The government is considering the plan to counter the claim grammars are dominated by pupils from better-off families.

The proposal surfaced after the chancellor announced a £320 million fund for 110 free schools, some of which could be grammars.

The idea of a different pass mark for less well-off children applying to grammars was previously rejected by a cross-party committee of county councillors investigating ways to improve social mobility in Kent’s selective schools.

The committee concluded there were better ways to improve access to grammar schools.

Cllr Jenny Whittle (Con) who chaired the inquiry, said: “We did consider a lower test score but we felt there was a danger those children who got a place at a grammar on that basis might fall behind.

“We felt the work should be done in primary schools to prepare children. We looked at how it was being used in Birmingham but there was no long-term evidence of its impact.”

The government may also allow grammars to admit children at 12 and 13 to reflect the fact that children develop at different ages.

In Kent, figures show that on average just 3% of pupils who attend grammar schools are on free school meals – the main indicator of social deprivation – with some having even fewer.

This contrasts with 13.4% in non-selective schools. At the same time, 6.3% of pupils attending grammar schools receive Pupil Premium, which is additional funding to raise the attainment of the most disadvantaged. This compares with 26.9% in nonselective schools.

The committee did urge the county’s “super selective” grammars – which admit the highest scoring children – to consider setting aside places for poorer brighter pupils who were eligible for Pupil Premium money and passed the 11-plus.

Labour county councillor Roger Truelove, who served on the inquiry, said: “It would be invidious for children to go to grammar schools knowing they’ve been given a favourable assessment. We should take steps to ensure children are achieving their potential after six years in primary education.”

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Cllr Jenny Whittle